Rephonic
Artwork for Word In Your Ear
The Beatles
Oasis
Punk Rock
Music Industry
London
David Bowie
Bob Dylan
Taylor Swift
Beach Boys
Nick Drake
Prince
The Rolling Stones
Ringo Starr
Jimi Hendrix
Elkie Brooks
Music History
Led Zeppelin
Hey Joe
Luck
Kula Shaker

Mark Ellen and David Hepworth have been talking about and writing about music together and individually for a collective eighty years in magazines like Smash Hits, Mojo and The Word and on radio and TV programmes like "Rock On", "Whistle Test" and VH-1.

Over thirteen years ago, when working on the late magazine The Word, they began producing podcasts. Some listeners have been kind enough to say th... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1024Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicMusic History

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Artwork for Word In Your Ear

Latest Episodes

Tom Hagler works at the BBC with access to every TV and radio programme involving Joni Mitchell for 50 years, all full of revelations about her songs and the times she spent in London. So he transcribed the interviews – even the bits off-camera - and... more

Stirring the spice-filled gumbo of news and turning the heat up. This week’s nutritious ingredients include ….

… is everything better shorter?

… the greatest opening line in a book ever written

… did Tom Waits, Warren Zevon, Joe Cocker, the Bee G... more

Helen’s violin at the start of Come On Eileen has filled a million wedding dancefloors. She was a member of Dexys Midnight Runners, later their musical director, at the boom time of Too Rye Ay (and its wobbly sequel) and captures the thrill of it all... more

YouTube

We first met Nigel Dick in the late ‘70s when he was the motorbike messenger for Stiff Records and watched him rocket to success in the video boom, directing career-launching clips for Guns N’Roses, Tears for Fears and Britney Spears and working with... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Recent Guests

Richard Thompson
Guitarist and musician, longtime member of Fairport Convention
Self/Richard Thompson
Episode: Another Word with … Richard Thompson: includes Fairport, Lennon, Schwarzenegger and a cast of thousands!
Dónal Gallagher
Rory Gallagher's brother and former manager
Gallagher family / Edged in Blue author
Episode: Rory Gallagher – Ireland’s first rock star remembered by the brother who managed him
Matthew Elliott
Birthday guest and tour guide in Bury St Edmunds.
Episode: Q Magazine’s 40th, Ariel Bender and the most unlistenable music ever made
Neil Storey
Author of The Island Book of Records, Vol. 3 (1971–72)
Author/Archivist
Episode: Roxy, Traffic, Nick Drake, Mott the Hoople & the magic of Island Records
Gary Kemp
Musician and author researching Brian Epstein's world
Gary Kemp (artist); author of 1967, The World of Brian Epstein
Episode: Gary Kemp bought Brian Epstein’s address book and discovered ‘the DNA of the Beatles’
David Holzer
Author of Lou Reed's Metal Machine Mystic
Author, Lou Reed's Metal Machine Mystic
Episode: ‘Metal Machine Music is a masterpiece!’ David Holzer has played it 1,000 times
Phil Turner
Birthday quiz guest, regular contributor
Word In Your Ear community
Episode: Todd Rundgren’s outbursts, ‘too old to mosh’ & the happiest and saddest songwriters
Jon Savage
Writer and editor renowned for pop culture and music history work
Independent
Episode: Jon Savage loathed the 1976 singles chart so he’s made an album of should-have-been hits
James Ewen
Birthday guest on the episode
Word In Your Ear community
Episode: Stevie Wonder’s masterpiece and the daft, chequered history of Ties In Rock!

Hosts

Mark Ellen
Host of Word In Your Ear; veteran music journalist and broadcaster with long-standing involvement in music culture history.
David Hepworth
Co-host and co-creator; veteran music journalist and author with extensive industry knowledge.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 852 ratings
  • Always a great listen

    ‘Word in your Ear’ is always intriguing & interesting. There’s at least a nugget in each episode, usually several, that will grab your attention. Thanks guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dj Ordell
    Australiaa month ago
  • Interruptions

    Let your guests finish their sentences.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mr Majestik
    United States2 months ago
  • Smashing pod from the Smash Hits Team

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ericorthwaite
    5 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Like sitting in a pub with some mates chatting about music and arts. We need a book with all the Stackwaddys in it .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mdjudickck
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • A constant companion

    ‘Keep us in therapy and you can walk the dog at the same time’ goes the ident, well WIYE regularly accompanies me on my late night dog walks and I hope it continues to do so for a long time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pwg69
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Appeals to those who want nuanced cultural context rather than quick takes.
Some critique the ad load or occasional digressions, but many still rate the show highly.
Listeners praise the hosts' knowledgeable, relaxed chemistry and storytelling.
Fans value the deep dives into music history and the array of guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

‘Metal Machine Music is a masterpiece!’ David Holzer has played it 1,000 times
Q: Can you explain how the CD reissue myths around side lengths and movement structure were debunked?
I used software analyses and careful listening to show that each part is distinct, and that the common myths about side-by-side reversals or fourfold repetition aren't accurate; the work is composed of four movements with nuanced variations, not simply loops.
Why can’t brothers in bands ever get along?
Q: Why do brotherly fallouts in bands tend to be more intense than other feuds?
The speakers attribute it to the blood tie and constant proximity, making it easier to cross lines with family while still feeling justified, resulting in deeper, more personal damage that lingers.
Sid Griffin: the Long Ryders leader laughs at the absurdity of teenage life!
Q: What was the name of the first girlfriend you had and what memory does that evoke?
Griffin recalls Mimi Babcock, a vivid teenage crush, which leads to anecdotes about memory, aging, and the persistence of early loves.
Sid Griffin: the Long Ryders leader laughs at the absurdity of teenage life!
Q: Question number two is, can you, Sid, can you still recite anything that you learned by heart when you were young?
Yes, and Griffin recounts English and literature lines that stuck with him, illustrating how memory and education shaped his musical sensibility.
Natalie Merchant returns playing ‘Mother Goose as an 18th Century feminist’
Q: Will this project remain evergreen, and how scalable is it?
Yes, designed to be evergreen and scalable with continued addition of content, videos, and teaching materials, and partnerships to keep it relevant in classrooms across time.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Word In Your Ear

What is Word In Your Ear about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A conversational deep-dive into music history, culture, and personalities, hosted by two veteran music journalists. Episodes frequently center on influential artists, defining moments in rock and folk history, and behind-the-scenes industry stories. The tone is warmly anecdotal, often blending nostalgia with sharp cultural observations, and guests range from legendary performers to biographers and music historians. A standout trait is the show's long-running, knowledgeable vibe—listeners get seasoned perspectives, well-researched context, and engaging banter that feels like chatting with music-obsessed friends. This mix makes it attractive to listeners who enjoy rich storytelling, historical context, and candid conversations with figures sh... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Word In Your Ear?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Word In Your Ear:

1. Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt
2. Sodajerker On Songwriting
3. The Alexei Sayle Podcast
4. Something About the Beatles
5. Nothing Is Real - A Beatles Podcast

How many episodes of Word In Your Ear are there?

Word In Your Ear launched 5 years ago and published 1024 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Word In Your Ear?

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What guests have appeared on Word In Your Ear?

Recent guests on Word In Your Ear include:

1. Richard Thompson
2. Dónal Gallagher
3. Matthew Elliott
4. Neil Storey
5. Gary Kemp
6. David Holzer
7. Phil Turner
8. Jon Savage

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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